International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee Chairman Anil Kumble has said that the banning of saliva would be applicable for the time being world recovers from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He believes that things will go back to normal soon after the world wins over the deadly virus.
The natural substances saliva, which is used to shine the ball, have now become the transmitter of the novel virus. So, it has forced the ICC to explore the other option to assist bowlers and minimise the spread of the infection.
I think things will go back to as normal as it can be: Anil Kumble
The former Indian cricketer believes that the ban on saliva is only an interim measure. As per Kumble, there have been talks on the use of external substances while being aware of not promoting ball-tampering.
“This is only an interim measure and as long as we have hopefully control over COVID in a few months or a year’s time then I think things will go back to as normal as it can be,” Kumble told Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’.
“…if you look back at the history of the game, I mean we have been very critical and we have been very focused on eliminating any external substances coming into the game,” Anil Kumble said of the speculation.
“Whether you are literally legalising, if you are looking to do that now which obviously has had a great impact over the last couple of years,” he added.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have already passed the rule to follow “no saliva or sweat policy” during the training sessions. While the ICC has not passed any law particularly for it yet.
English cricketers Stuart Board, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes have also started individual training sessions.